Over the four years since GFH Capital dodged back into the deserts of Bahrain, things have definitely happened at Leeds United – there can be little doubting that.
First up Leeds United had to endure the turbulence caused by the Cellino years, a triplet of seasons where cuts and courtrooms, bust-ups and bans were often more frequent than sparkling performances. One season, the 2016/17 campaign, where the Whites finished 7th under Garry Monk was the highlight.
It was also typified by the handing over of power as Cellino segued out of Elland Road and was replaced by fellow Italian Andrea Radrizzani. His first full tilt as Leeds United owner, last season’s 2017/18 campaign started brightly yet faded into the gloom of abject performance after stumbling loss.
The gloss added by Radrizzani bringing Elland Road back under the club’s control was dulled somewhat by the matt of poorly-performing players brought into the club and a return to the hire-’em/fire-’em slash-n-burn style of the first two seasons under Massimo Cellino.
Yet, there is a definite sense of change in the air up LS11 way – a tangible change for once.
Gone are the days of Leeds hauling in desperation signings such as the like of Edgar Çani and Zan Benedicic where quantity was very much the guiding hand over quality – and that was plain to see. The Whites were flooded with sub-standard players with the odd, outlying decent player brought in as something of a counterbalance – the likes of Chris Wood and Kemar Roofe being two such names.
Gone too, hopefully, are the days of Italian owners being il mangia alenatori are also off the menu. Hockaday was a desperation appointment akin to receiving a gift from a seaside mechanical grab game and, in truth, what followed him was just a lick of pain over the same.
Garry Monk, who left Leeds to chase the promotion dollar at Middlesbrough (before being sacked) brought stability to the club – that 7th place finish testimony of that. That single season showed just what the right, thought-out appointment could do to a team’s chances.
Christiansen wasn’t that signing, well that’s how it played out in the end, and neither was his successor. To managing Leeds United they were the back-room, pitch-side equivalent to the Dario Del Fabros and Granddi N’Goyes that were imported in bulk in the early Cellino years.
Thankfully though, one can only hope, Andrea Radrizzani has learned from last season’s mistakes. It certainly looks that way, at least early signs are very positive.
In pole position is the appointment of respected Argentinian Marcelo Bielsa, a former manager of his native Argentina and Chile national sides. This is a manager that might not have that ‘Championship experience’ that Whites fans often use as a battle-cry, but the added consolation is that he’s managed at two World Cups.
His appointment is seen by some as being a catalyst to bring high-profile, ‘proper name’ players to the club. United have just appointed Chelsea and England Under-21 youngster Lewis Baker on a season loan, with a preference to buy option attached. His Chelsea teammate Jamal Blackman is rumoured to be following him in the not-too-distant future.
Then add in the links to players of the calibre of Abel Hernandez and Matej Vydra. This isn’t the Leeds United that some fans have gotten begrudgingly used to, not by a long chalk. This is a different Leeds United. This is a Leeds United showing real intent.
Long may it continue.
